August must be “buffet month.” Seems like every mailer or casino e-mail I open has a buffet special running:
Gold Coast has reduced prices for their dinner buffet Monday through Thursday, with added discounts depending on your card level.
Silverton is running an Earn & Win Buffet special on Thursdays. Earn 50 points for one free lunch buffet coupon to print before 3 p.m. Earn 100 points for one free lunch or dinner buffet, coupon available to print at kiosk from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CZR properties – Tuesdays in August, earn 50 Tier Credits in a day at any of the Total Rewards casinos in Las Vegas and get one free entry to Carnival World & Seafood Buffet. This one has some tricky fine print. There is a $25 upcharge if you want to go into the seafood part of the buffet – and when we were there the last time, there was a stern guard person who made sure you had the seafood wristband. “Free” in this case has a special meaning – entry only into the regular section of the buffet. Coupon expires 48 hours after issue, but you have to do the play and get the coupon between 6 a.m. and 5:59 a.m.
MGM Properties
I’m not sure when this took effect, but they have changed their point-expiration date from one year to 6 months. We don’t play there regularly anymore but had some old points that we didn’t want to lose. However, dropping in recently to put on a few points to keep our balance current, we found out that our nice comp balance was now zero. 🙁
BOYD PROPERTIES (The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam’s Town)
Last month we talked about a new promotional wrinkle, with our Gold Coast free play not being able to be picked up at the Suncoast as it could be in the past. That is also the case for August. However, we do get promotional e-mails from the Suncoast.
Another new development: Brad and I each got an “August Promotions” mailer from the Orleans (similar to our regular Gold Coast ones) – “Exciting promotions in addition to your August Offers” – although we haven’t played there for many months. It included a calendar with multiple-point days, gift days, table drawings, and information on a slot tournament.
Perhaps an expansion of their marketing that will offer more promotions unique to each specific property?
SOUTH POINT
No double-point days here this month.
TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO
For August the monthly senior 20% discount moves to Pub 365, the new eatery that replaced the Mexican restaurant. “It features a collection of 365 rotating beers and a menu of traditional pub fare with a modern spin including homemade small bites, iconic burgers and locally world-famous tacos.”
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My favorite quote of the month, from an Internet VP forum where there was a discussion about comps: I want everything, but I settle for whatever I can get.
I love the give-aways like this! I never expect to make a killing at casinos, I’m there just to have fun, and this is a great way to have even more fun. Thanks for the info, I have to visit a couple of these when im in Vegas this weekend.
From the M-life FAQ about express comps expiring.
Do my points and Express Comps expire?
A member’s accumulated points and Express Comps may be subject to forfeiture if the member’s M life Rewards account does not reflect any activity (which means earning points or earning Tier Credits) for a period of six (6) months for Sapphire Members or a period of twelve (12) months for Pearl, Gold, Platinum and NOIR Members.
I now have to go to the Tuscany, just to find out what a “locally world-famous taco” is. (I’m not sure, but I think it has chopped oxymoron on it.)
Jean
Talked to my MGM /Mirage host. She’s unaware of the 6 month expiration but will
investigate. May I ask..what level card are you at MGM ?
I believe the change at MGM properties occurred last October when they last made changes to the MLife program. I also remember there was an exception made that those who were Gold or higher still got the year.
South Point hasn’t had a double point day in June, July or August. The last one was in May (Mother’s Day).
I was expecting the annual Chevron gas card promotion in August as well, but…no. They have had it for at least the last 5 years. 2011-in April, 2012-June, 2013-June, 2014-July and 2015-August.
The last time we were there – a month or two ago – there WAS some seafood on the regular buffet but I didn’t take note of the actual selection.
We will be in Las Vegas in Sept. Will be waiting for your Sept. report. Thank You.
I love your quote of the month, unfortunately it might apply to dessert also!!!!
I haven’t been to the Rio buffet in a while, it included a few fish items on a Friday.
Does the seafood upcharge mean that the regular buffet no longer has ANY seafood?
Thanks, MO
I have noticed the same thing with Boyd properties. my Orleans mailer used to be good (food coupons) at the suncoast…no longer! but now I get some smaller mailer from the suncoast with food coupons (such as they are). oh well…
In regards to Boyd properties and promotions. I live 40 miles west of Chicago and my husband and I visit the Blue Chip about once a month. We travel to Tunica and Sams Town once a year. Very rarely do we go to the Par A Dice. This year we have seen a flurry of postcards from there, decent offers, but alas, the VP is not. We’ve been getting more than usual from Sams and Blue Chip also. So, it sure looks like marketing has kicked up the effort, tailored to each property, as we still only get our regular mail from the Las Vegas properties. I certainly agree with the forum quote!